Going for a walk is a low-impact activity, but with many health benefits. We tell you the main reasons to motivate you to start walking.
There are many reasons that might convince you to go for a walk. It is that moving the legs is an extremely beneficial exercise, both for the body and for the mind.
Such is its power that experts from the University of Costa Rica recommend walking at least 10,000 steps a day . Although it seems a very high number, the truth is that it is easy to achieve it if you introduce small changes in the routine, such as walking to work or avoiding always traveling by car.
Top reasons to go for a walk
On the other hand, going for a walk is a great alternative for all those people who want to train aerobic capacity without getting tired . The good thing about walking is that it generates very little impact on the joints, so it is not as aggressive an exercise as running or jumping.
For all these reasons, below we will delve into the main benefits of going for a walk.
1. You will oxygenate the muscles and the brain
Going for a walk, like any other aerobic exercise, generates an increase in the supply of oxygen to the muscles and the brain . In the case of this organ, the increase in oxygenation is very important to maintain its health and proper functioning.
This adaptation is a protective factor against neurodegenerative diseases, such as Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s. This is because neurons take advantage of the increased blood flow to strengthen themselves , and therefore, the premature death of these cells is delayed.
2. It will help you to relativize daily worries
Finding times of the day to disconnect from the stress of routine is an essential aspect of mental health. The list of activities is endless: reading, drawing, meditating , playing a sport … there are as many alternatives as personal tastes.
In this sense, going for a walk is also effective in clearing the mind. Walking offers the opportunity to relativize what causes concern, so that when the task is resumed, there is another perspective.
A common misconception is that problems are solved sooner if you think about them a lot. This is not the case, since being obfuscated with finding the solution to a problem only produces frustration. It is better to take a break and look at things from another perspective after a walk.
3. Promotes sleep and rest
Improving the quality of sleep is a matter of great concern to people who suffer from insomnia. Achieving this depends on establishing healthy habits, such as taking care of your diet, marking daily routines or exercising regularly.
As for physical exercise, it does not have to be intense to be able to rest better. As mentioned above, taking 10,000 steps a day or walking for half an hour at a brisk pace will be enough to see the benefits.
4. Improves mood
Finally, one of the compelling reasons to go for a walk is that it produces very positive changes in mood. Not only because it allows us to disconnect or relativize worries, but molecules that induce pleasant sensations are released in the brain .
Remember the reasons for going for a walk and get motivated
Walking is an exercise that has many health benefits. However, although it is an activity that we do every day to a greater or lesser extent, sometimes we replace it with more comfortable alternatives.
One of its great advantages is that it is suitable for anyone, regardless of their age . In fact, doctors often recommend it to people who are older, overweight, or have knee problems.
For all these reasons, make small changes to your routine and increase the number of steps you take per day. Your health and well-being will thank you.
